DeSantis visits territory unfriendly to Trump

From: POLITICO Florida Playbook - Friday Aug 18,2023 10:57 am

Aug 18, 2023

Ron DeSantis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will speak today in Atlanta. He's shown here campaigning in Iowa. | Jeff Roberson/AP Photo

Happy Friday and greetings from Atlanta!

Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Georgia today along with several Republican presidential hopefuls — just days after a grand jury here indicted former president Donald Trump in a wide-ranging scheme to allegedly subvert the 2020 Georgia election results.

DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and others are here to attend conservative radio host Erick Erickson’s “Gathering,” which brings together Republican presidential candidates and GOP leaders from across the country.

What to look for: The event gives DeSantis another chance to differentiate himself and his candidacy from other 2024 hopefuls on one of the biggest issues facing the campaigns: How to navigate the Trump indictments. (Note: Trump himself was left off the conference’s guest list and Erickson recently posted on X that Trump “doesn’t look well” — the two feuded in 2015 over a similar event.)

That the event is taking place roughly 10 miles from the jail where Trump must surrender by next week makes for an ironic twist. The DeSantis campaign, when asked, wouldn’t share what the governor planned to say today. But if DeSantis is asked about Trump — and remains consistent in his message — he’ll likely tell the roughly 1,500 conservative attendees that he decries the weaponization of the federal government and the “criminalization of politics.”

It’s a far different stance than Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is also attending. They are unapologetically leaning into Trump’s legal pile ups to argue he shouldn’t be president again.

How it'll play out: The event’s format is a sit-down question-and-answer with Erickson, who said he wants candidates to focus on the future of the party (meaning not Trump’s 2020 loss). He also told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution that his goal is to “never utter the word ‘Trump.’”

Erickson, in a statement, said he wants to introduce “key citizens of the southeast” to some of the lesser-known candidates. “They know Donald Trump and where he stands on the issues," he added.

DeSantis will likely be in friendly territory. After all, Erickson’s radio show scored a DeSantis interview shortly after the governor made his presidential run official. Last month, Erickson pointed to Trump’s anti-DeSantis spending as evidence that he’s more competitive in the White House contest than might appear from the polls.

But Erickson also openly questioned in a July newsletter whether DeSantis has what it takes to go national, saying the campaign had “fallen into a culture warrior playbook that is starting to be both repetitive and iterative.”

Tune in here to follow along. DeSantis is up at 11 a.m.

— WHERE'S RON? — Other than The Gathering speech, Gov. DeSantis will appear on the Doug Wagner Show and speak at the Nashua Stake Out Dinner in New Hampshire.

Over the weekend he’ll be doing stops in New Hampshire with Never Back Down, the super PAC that supports his election.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Reach out at: kleonard@politico.com

Playbook is also on the ground at The Gathering today and Saturday, so please come say hi and share your thoughts about the state of the 2024 race.

Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here.

DESANTISLAND

DEBATE PREP — Ron DeSantis’ Campaign Is Flailing. Enter the GOP’s Debate Wizard, by Cameron Joseph for POLITICO Magazine: DeSantis has been doing debate Q&A at least once a week with veteran debate coach Brett O’Donnell. “He’s William Shakespeare and Vince Lombardi rolled into one,” said Ward Baker, senior adviser to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who was also a client.

POSTED — “Defend Trump and ‘hammer’ Ramaswamy: DeSantis allies reveal debate strategy,” by NYT’s Jonathan Swan, Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman: “A firm associated with the super PAC that has effectively taken over Mr. DeSantis’ presidential campaign posted online hundreds of pages of blunt advice, research memos and internal polling in early nominating states to guide the Florida governor ahead of the high-stakes Republican presidential debate next Wednesday in Milwaukee.”

It is unusual “for a super PAC, or a consulting firm working for it, to post documents on its own website — and in such expansive detail.”

The memo apparently stirred “anger and confusion from fundraisers and donors,” wrote CNN’s Steve Contorno. “One person close to DeSantis’ political operation was surprised a person at Never Back Down would even write a memo or think it was appropriate to give the campaign advice just a week out from the debate. The response this person received from Republican donors on Thursday was ‘a chorus of people who think it was dumb,’ they said.

TARGET — “DeSantis expects ‘knives out’ in first GOP debate as supporters look for reassurance,” by Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood: “Regardless of whether Trump shows up or not, DeSantis is expected to be a main target of his opponents. A person familiar with debate preparations for one rival candidate said that they’ve been studying DeSantis’ record and public remarks for weak points in the weeks leading up to the debate.”

— “If Ron DeSantis has a shot in hell, it starts here,” by Lyz Lens for Rolling Stone

Disney princesses travel through Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney princesses travel through Magic Kingdom Park several times daily at Walt Disney World Resort on July 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. | Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images

VERDICT IN — DeSantis ally has conflict-of-interest by serving on Disney district, legal opinion states, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard: Glen Gilzean must now choose between remaining administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District or keeping his position on the Florida ethics commission.

From the analysis: Gilzean previously spoke with two ethics officers about the conflict in April, according to the legal memo, posted first by the Orlando Sentinel. Gilzean told both officers at the time that he’d “received legal advice elsewhere about holding both positions” and would reach out if he wanted an opinion from the commission’s counsel. He told them he wanted to keep his “calling for public service” and commitment to finishing his term on the ethics commission, the analysis said.

DEATH WARRANT — DeSantis has ordered the state to carry out the death sentence for Michael Duane Zack during the first week in October. This will be the eighth execution in the last year, the AP reports. Zack was convicted of killing two women he met at beach bars in 1996.

CAMPAIGN MODE

CANCELED — Donald Trump calls off press conference where he said he would share report on Georgia election fraud claims, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity: The reversal comes after NYT reported that Trump’s lawyers and advisers had grown increasingly concerned about the information the former president shares publicly as his legal woes grow.

— “The hard-tweeting defense lawyer GOP candidates have learned to fear,” by POLITICO’s Meredith McGraw

DON’T MISS POLITICO’S TECH & AI SUMMIT: America’s ability to lead and champion emerging innovations in technology like generative AI will shape our industries, manufacturing base and future economy. Do we have the right policies in place to secure that future? How will the U.S. retain its status as the global tech leader? Join POLITICO on Sept. 27 for our Tech & AI Summit to hear what the public and private sectors need to do to sharpen our competitive edge amidst rising global competitors and rapidly evolving disruptive technologies. REGISTER HERE.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

NO INJUNCTION — Federal judge rejects push to block Florida Chinese land ownership law, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor shot down the request from four Chinese immigrants and a real-estate firm to place a preliminary injunction on the law while the case moved through the court.

Winsor said those challenging the new law haven’t shown that they could win the case, a key factor in determining whether to block a law ahead of a full-blown trial. He also contended that the legal challenge has not shown that the Republican-controlled Legislature was intentionally discriminating against Chinese individuals when it passed the restrictions.

BTW — “Ken Griffin reshaped law banning Chinese real estate purchases,” by Bloomberg’s Anna Jean Kaiser, Michael Smith, and Felipe Marques

— “Doctors hesitate to ask about patients’ immigration status despite new Florida Law,” by KFF Health News’ Daniel Chang

VOUCHER UPDATE — More than 382,000 students have gotten vouchers for the forthcoming school year, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a jump of 117,500 people, or 44 percent.

MOVING OUT — More than 80 percent transgender and nonbinary people surveyed are leaving Florida or say they’re planning to because of bans on gender medicine, found a survey by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

REMINDER — “Floridians have to sign up again if they want to vote by mail in next election,” the Orlando Sentinel writes. “In Florida, voters now have to sign up again to get ballots by mail every two years instead of every four because of the new law. That means people who received a mail-in ballot in 2022, which includes the nearly 2.8 million voters who used them in the general election last year as well as an additional 1.5 million who had signed up to receive a ballot but did not return it.”

— “A Tallahassee student group for Black men might have to change its name,” by WUSF Valerie Crowder

AAA — Florida’s credit rating remains on top despite the federal government’s drop to AA+, Fitch Ratings just reported.

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

HOUSING BILL EFFECT — “Florida law meant to turbocharge affordable housing construction has kicked up a backlash,” by Miami Herald’s Andres Viglucci and Raisa Habersham: “The new law … requires cities and counties to approve the projects without hearings where elected officials could seek public input and discuss and vote on the proposals, even if they dramatically violate existing height and density restrictions.”

— “Florida tourism numbers dip in second quarter,” by News Service of Florida

— “Spike in international travel leads to rise in harmful mosquito-borne illness in Florida,” by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman

— “U.S. Supreme Court makes final decision on Miami’s voting map for upcoming election,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas

RULING — “Florida may never free this prisoner, but court says one of his freedoms must be restored,” by the Miami Herald’s Camillia Burris: “A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that the Martin County man serving life in Florida prison may grow his beard in conformity with his religious beliefs — setting a precedent that could have nationwide ramifications for prisoners’ religious rights.”

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Former Florida Democratic Party chairman Bob Poe … (Saturday) Tallahassee Democrat executive editor William Hatfield ... Mark Seibel, technology policy editor at The Washington Post and former managing editor for news at the Miami Herald ... Administrative law judge John D.C Newton II … (Sunday) Rep. Kathy Castor … Former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth … former Rep. Don Fuqua …